Cosmetology and Personal Grooming: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program gain comprehensive training in the art and science of personal grooming and beauty enhancement, preparing for careers in a dynamic, client-focused industry. The curriculum emphasizes both technical proficiency and professional standards, equipping learners with the skills needed to deliver high-quality services in diverse settings.
- Facial and Skin Care Techniques: Mastery of skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, and treatment protocols to promote healthy, radiant skin.
- Hair Styling and Cutting: Hands-on instruction in modern cutting methods, styling, and shaping techniques for all hair types and textures.
- Nail Care and Enhancement: Training in manicure and pedicure procedures, including gel, acrylic, and natural nail care.
- Makeup Application and Artistry: Development of skills in cosmetic application for everyday wear, special events, and photographic purposes.
- Client Consultation and Image Consulting: Learning to assess client needs, recommend personalized services, and build lasting professional relationships.
- Safety, Sanitation, and Health Regulations: Understanding of hygiene protocols, infection control, and compliance with state and national licensing standards.
- Business and Professional Practices: Foundational knowledge in salon operations, customer service, marketing, and career advancement strategies.
Cosmetology and Personal Grooming Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cosmetology and Personal Grooming Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cosmetology and Personal Grooming degrees, including Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 295,460 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists 39-5012 | $35,250 | $24,580 - $70,220 | 295,460 | $16.95 |
Cosmetology and Personal Grooming Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $23,470 in Louisiana to $58,920 in Washington—a 151% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, Hawaii, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 295,460 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Cosmetology and Personal Grooming by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 91 institutions offering Cosmetology and Personal Grooming programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Cosmetology and Personal Grooming is found at Celebrity School of Beauty (188 graduates), Paul Mitchell the School, Little Rock (129 graduates), American Institute of Beauty (AIB) (107 graduates), Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers (90 graduates), and Beauty Academy of South Florida (84 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,497 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity School of Beauty |
Other Award
|
188 | Miami, Florida | Private | celebrity.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
129 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| American Institute of Beauty (AIB) |
Other Award
|
107 | Largo, Florida | Private | aibschool.edu |
| Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers |
Other Award
|
90 | Hollywood, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
| Beauty Academy of South Florida |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
84 | Hialeah Gardens, Florida | Private | basf.edu |
| Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers |
Other Award
|
81 | Casselberry, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
| Hollywood Institute |
Other Award
|
76 | Margate, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
| Bene's Career Academy |
Other Award
|
75 | New Port Richey, Florida | Private | benes.edu |
| Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
73 | Tampa, Florida | Private | artistic.edu |
| Summit Salon Academy |
Other Award
|
61 | Tampa, Florida | Private | summitsalonacademytampa.com |
| Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics Skin Care & Makeup |
Residency
|
53 | New York, New York | Private | christinevalmy.com |
| Premiere Aesthetics Institute |
Other Award
|
52 | Meridian, Idaho | Private | premiereaestheticsinstitute.com |
| Cortiva Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
51 | Pompano Beach, Florida | Private | cortiva.edu |
| Boca Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
51 | Parkland, Florida | Private | bocabeautyacademy.edu |
| Taylor Andrews Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
50 | St. George, Utah | Private | taylorandrewstgeorge.com |
| Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
47 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | artistic.edu |
| Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers |
Other Award
|
47 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | hi.edu |
| Praxis Institute |
Other Award
|
45 | Miami, Florida | Private | praxis.edu |
| American Academy of Cosmetology (AAC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
38 | Orange Park, Florida | Private | aacschool.com |
| Moler-Pickens Beauty Academy |
Residency
Other Award
|
36 | Fairfield, Ohio | Private | molerhollywood.com |
| Pomona Unified School District Adult and Career Education |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Pomona, California | Public | ace.pusd.org |
| Parisian Spa Institute (PSI) |
Other Award
|
34 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | psijax.edu |
| Career Academy of Beauty (CAofB) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
32 | Garden Grove, California | Private | caofb.com |
| Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College |
Other Award
|
31 | Bend, Oregon | Private | phagans-schools.com |
| International Institute of Cosmetology (IIC) |
Residency
|
31 | Wethersfield, Connecticut | Private | studyhair.com |
| Shear Excellence Hair Academy |
Other Award
|
29 | Tampa, Florida | Private | shearexcell.edu |
| Boca Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
29 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | bocabeautyacademy.edu |
| Shear Ego International School of Hair Design |
Residency
|
28 | Rochester, New York | Private | shearegoschool.com |
| Summit Salon Academy |
Other Award
|
28 | Gainesville, Florida | Private | ssag.edu |
| Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Joliet, Illinois | Private | pchairdesign.com |
| Iowa School of Beauty (ISB) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
26 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | iowaschoolofbeauty.com |
| Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
26 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | fountainofyouthacademy.edu |
| Laurel Technical Institute (LTI) |
Other Award
|
25 | Hermitage, Pennsylvania | Private | laurel.edu |
| North Florida Cosmetology Institute (NFCI) |
Other Award
|
23 | Tallahassee, Florida | Private | cosmetologyinst.com |
| Moler Hollywood Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
22 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | molerhollywood.com |
| Rosel School of Cosmetology |
Residency
|
22 | Niles, Illinois | Private | roselschool.org |
| Pro Beauty Academy |
Residency
|
22 | Edison, New Jersey | Private | probeautyacademy.com |
| The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) |
Other Award
|
21 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | tspamelbourne.com |
| Bellus Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Manhattan, Kansas | Private | bellusacademy.edu |
| University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | El Dorado, Arkansas | Private | pcec.edu |
| Phagans School of Hair Design |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Happy Valley, Oregon | Private | phagans.com |
| Strand Institute of Beauty & Esthetics |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
19 | Portland, Texas | Private | thestrandinstitute.edu |
| Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc |
Other Award
|
18 | Feasterville, Pennsylvania | Private | bcsbc.edu |
| Keene Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
17 | Keene, New Hampshire | Private | keenebeautyacademy.edu |
| Lenoir Community College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Kinston, North Carolina | Public | lenoircc.edu |
| Phagans Grants Pass College of Beauty |
Other Award
|
17 | Grants Pass, Oregon | Private | phagans-schools.com |
| Phagans Beauty College |
Other Award
|
17 | Corvallis, Oregon | Private | phagans-schools.com |
| Nova Academy of Cosmetology |
Residency
|
17 | Rochester, Minnesota | Private | novaacademy.edu |
| Laurel Business Institute (LBI) |
Other Award
|
16 | Uniontown, Pennsylvania | Private | laurel.edu |
| Academy of Career Training |
Other Award
|
16 | Kissimmee, Florida | Private | academyofcareertraining.com |
| Ann Webb Skin Institute |
Other Award
|
16 | Austin, Texas | Private | awskininstitute.com |
| Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Brecksville, Ohio | Public | cvccworks.edu |
| Phagans School of Beauty |
Other Award
|
14 | Salem, Oregon | Private | phagans-schools.com |
| Academy of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
14 | Merritt Island, Florida | Private | academyofcosmetology.edu |
| LaSalle Tech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Houma, Louisiana | Private | lasalletech.edu |
| UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences |
Other Award
|
13 | McAllen, Texas | Private | ucastx.com |
| Polaris Career Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Middleburg Heights, Ohio | Public | polaris.edu |
| UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (UCAS) |
Other Award
|
12 | Harlingen, Texas | Private | ucastx.com |
| UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences |
Other Award
|
12 | La Joya, Texas | Private | ucastx.com |
| Brittany Beauty Academy |
Residency
|
10 | Bronx, New York | Private | brittanyacademy.edu |
| Robert Fiance Beauty Schools |
Other Award
|
9 | Boynton Beach, Florida | Private | robertfiance.edu |
| College of Hair Design Careers (CHDC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Salem, Oregon | Private | collegeofhairdesigncareers.com |
| Phagans Medford Beauty School |
Other Award
|
8 | Medford, Oregon | Private | phagans-schools.com |
| KCK Beauty & Barber Academy |
Other Award
|
7 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | kckbbacademy.org |
| Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) |
Other Award
|
7 | Miami Beach, Florida | Private | esimiamibeach.com |
| Loraines Academy & Spa |
Other Award
|
6 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Private | genesiscareer.edu |
| Nova College de Puerto Rico |
Other Award
|
6 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | novacollegepr.com |
| Northwest College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Springfield, Oregon | Private | nwcollege.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
6 | Arlington, Texas | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Shasta School of Cosmetology |
Residency
|
4 | Redding, California | Private | shastaschoolofcosmetology.com |
| Brittany Beauty Academy |
Residency
|
4 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | brittanyacademy.edu |
| Summit Salon Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Tigard, Oregon | Private | summitsalonacademyportland.com |
| J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) |
Other Award
|
3 | Huntsville, Alabama | Public | drakestate.edu |
| Aveda Institute |
Other Award
|
3 | Bel Air, Maryland | Private | avedainstitutemd.edu |
| The Beauty Institute |
Other Award
|
3 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | thebeautyinstitute.edu |
| Northwest College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
3 | Medford, Oregon | Private | nwcollege.edu |
| The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) |
Other Award
|
3 | Collegeville, Pennsylvania | Private | tspacollegeville.com |
| George C Wallace State Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Selma, Alabama | Public | wccs.edu |
| Elite Cosmetology School |
Other Award
|
2 | PALM DESERT, California | Private | eliteschools.edu |
| Prestige Health & Beauty Sciences Academy |
Other Award
|
2 | Hallandale Beach, Florida | Private | phabsa.com |
| Cortiva Institute |
Other Award
|
2 | Arlington, Texas | Private | cortiva.edu |
| Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty |
Residency
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Private | hairacademysbb.edu |
| Innovate Salon Academy |
Other Award
|
2 | Ewing, New Jersey | Private | innovatesalonacademy.com |
| Reid State Technical College (RSTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Evergreen, Alabama | Public | rstc.edu |
| Northwest College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Beaverton, Oregon | Private | nwcollege.edu |
| South Texas Barber College Inc |
Other Award
|
1 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Private | southtexasbarbercollege.net |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Robert Fiance Beauty Schools |
Residency
|
1 | North Plainfield, New Jersey | Private | robertfiance.edu |
| Northwest College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Tualatin, Oregon | Private | nwcollege.edu |
| Yahweh Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
1 | Killeen, Texas | Private | yahwehbeautyacademy.com |
| Innovate Salon Academy (ISA) |
Other Award
|
1 | Brick Township, New Jersey | Private | innovatesalonacademy.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cosmetology and Personal Grooming programs
How much can I earn with a Cosmetology and Personal Grooming degree?
Salaries for Cosmetology and Personal Grooming graduates vary by role and location. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median of $35,250 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $58,920 compared to $23,470 in Louisiana. Approximately 295,460 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Cosmetology and Personal Grooming programs?
Currently 92 accredited institutions offer Cosmetology and Personal Grooming degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Celebrity School of Beauty (188 graduates), Paul Mitchell the School, Little Rock (129 graduates), and American Institute of Beauty (AIB) (107 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Cosmetology and Personal Grooming growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,076 in 2010 to 2,497 in 2023-24. This represents a 20% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Cosmetology and Personal Grooming degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Related occupations employ approximately 295,460 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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